County Executive

Contact: Jane Lerner, Director of Strategic CommunicationsOffice of the County Executive (845) 638-5645lernerj@co.rockland.ny.us

Rockland County Accept Holiday Gifts for Foster Children, Elderly

NEW CITY, NY – Rockland County Executive Ed Day today thanked people and organizations that contributed toys, clothes, food and other items to make the holidays merry for foster children and other youngsters receiving help from the Department of Social Services.

"The generosity of the people of Rockland is overwhelming," Day said as he was joined by Santa and Mrs. Claus. "So many people have gone out of their way to make sure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community, the young and the old, have the means to celebrate during this holiday season."

He and DSS Commissioner Joan Silvestri gave special thanks to the Cosgrove family of Pearl River. Without being asked. Grace and Gregg Cosgrove delivered 60 new bicycles to the Department of Social Services for foster children.

They made the donation in memory of their beloved son, Chance, who died suddenly and tragically while the family was on vacation in 2009.

"You can be assured that Chance will spread a legacy of joy and love every time a child rides on of these bicycles," County Executive Day said.

To go with the bikes, Modell's kindly donated 60 helmets.

Modell's representative Brandon Adams joined Day on Monday to present the helmets.

Another local merchant volunteered to make the holidays even more special for Rockland's older residents.ShopRite, owned by the Inserra family, donated gift cards that the County will distribute to low income seniors in some of the programs run through the Office for the Aging.

"We thank ShopRite for their generosity," said Day, who was joined by Tina Cardoza-Izquierdo, director of the Office for the Aging.

Numerous other people, businesses and organizations donated time, money, goods, and, most importantly, their love and support to children being helped by DSS and youngsters in foster care.

"They gave from their hearts to help others," Day said. Their generosity is what makes truly makes this a special time of year.

County Executive Day and Commissioner Silvestri thanked these groups for their generous donations:

• Avon – Donated $500 to support educational goals of foster children. This will fund a trip to the Challenger Center and scientific calculators for the children• Rockland Bakery – Provided food for the Foster/Adoptive Family Holiday Party• Rockland County Employees – Generous contributions to the Back to School Supply, Coat & Toy/Clothing Drives and many volunteer hours to various initiatives throughout year• Foster Parent Association – Organized ongoing support for foster and adoptive families including monthly meetings. In addition, they organized toy drives for foster children and they were a significant support for the Foster/ Adoptive Holiday Party• Inserra Supermarkets Inc., – Donated water and soft drinks to the Foster Families picnic• Rockland County Parent Aid Fund - Supported Rockland children and families by providing goods and services that are not available through government funds or programs. It is a non-profit run by current and former employees of DSS.• Rockland Boulders – Supplied foster children and families with tickets to a Boulders Game• Haverstraw Knights of Columbus – Provided the location for the Foster Care Family Holiday Celebration• SW Johnson Fire Company – Provided support for the annual Foster Family Picnic. The fire department held a barbeque and entertained the children by giving them rides on the fire truck• Wendy's (Nanuet & Haverstraw locations) – Every year November, which is National Adoption Month, Wendy's provides two locations where foster and adoptive families enjoyed a complimentary meal and face painting for children..• Home Depot Rockland – Donated the "Giving Tree" on display at the Palisades Center mall.• People to People - Partnered with DSS at the Giving Tree, providing toys to children in need• The Kiwanis Club of White Plains – Provided Christmas gifts for foster children• Hillcrest Fire Department –Provides meals and gifts for the Emergency Family Center including Santa on his firetruck.• The Clarkstown Ladies Crochet Group – For donating handmade blankets, scarves, hats and sweaters for newborns• The National Council of Jewish Women, Rockland Chapter –Donated handmade fleece blankets, hand sewn teddy bears and "busy" boxes filled with various age appropriate activities.• Anathoth Family Praise Center – Target and Visa Gift cards – for the Emergency Family Shelter• Lynch's, Fireside & Bee's Nest will be contributing to Christmas Eve dinner for the Warming Center